Katie Ann Richards

Katie Ann (Holt) Richards, 78, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 27, 2022. She was born on April 15, 1943, in Birmingham, Alabama to Walter and Helen Holt. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of forty-five years, Ralph L. Richards, Jr. She is survived by stepson, Gregory Couch of Weaver, AL, daughter Tamela Lowery of Pinson, AL and son Christopher Richards (Christa) of Hueytown, AL; grandchildren, Cooper Richards, Piper Richards, Tera Self (Joshua), Laura Montgomery (Jimmy Snider) and Lee George (Jessica); six great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Katie came to know the Lord at a young age. Since 7th grade, she said she could see and feel God working in different ways in her life. Significant in her life was Mrs. Sue Wilhite Whatley, who was one of her high school teachers at Woodlawn High School. It was because of Mrs. Whatley that Katie decided to become a teacher. She graduated from Livingston University with her B.S. in education in 1966 and then again with her Master’s in Education in 1970. She met her loving husband on the campus at Livingston University and they were later married on December 13, 1969. After returning to live in Birmingham, AL she taught at several schools over the years, eventually retiring after 30 years from Carrie A. Tuggle Elementary School in the North Birmingham City School District. Her love for her Lord and Savior was evident to all as she lived her life, and especially as she sang in the choir and worshipped at Woodlawn Baptist Church, now The Church at Liberty Park. She was a constant source of God’s love, evident to all who knew her. She was one who prayed for all, had a pleasant demeanor, and always with a smile on her face, because she knew to Whom she belonged. The main Bible verses she observed her whole life were Proverbs 3:5-6. Each time she had a setback in life she would say, “The Lord has been so gracious to help me. I am very aware God is helping me each day.”

A visitation for Katie will be held Thursday, March 31, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Johns-Ridout's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel, 800 Dennison Ave Sw, Birmingham, AL 35211, followed by a a celebration of life from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the Richards family.